140 public written reviews
The views here are this user’s only and are not representative of Giant Bomb's thoughts and opinions on the discussed video game. GB's official reviews reside at giantbomb.com/reviews.
Really, Nintendo should learn a new concept called difficulty setting. I understand they have always had that sweet spot for children, but recently some games just take it way overboard. Yoshi’s New Island is meant for children, the story, the controls, the stages. Anyone who grew with the once continuation of Super Mario World can relate to this, but something that made the original memorable is missing. I’ve said…
I wasn’t so sure about what to expect, it didn’t seem like a new full-fledged game at all but somehow felt like it was a completely new turn on how Fallout was handled in its third installment. Knowing the developer’s fame I knew I could expect a somewhat more text-heavy experience rather than all-in exploration. Fallout 3 a little less Elder Scrolls if you will. Now I realize that the game mechanics are identical…
I can't say how much of a surprise this was when Nintendo finally announced a proper sequel to my favorite game of all time--side by side with Banjo-Kazooie. It was never really a surprise that Miyamoto didn't take Donkey Kong Country's original release very lightly, the game captured the essence of gaming so well, that not even he could even dream to someday match that level of expertise. Still, Rare are a bunch of…
After 3 installments it's kind of hard to keep things fresh and interesting. Gears of War is not the sharpest tool in the shed anyway, the focus has always been and will probably always be action. From checkpoint to checkpoint the campaign evolves and the brief moments in-between stand as return to wellness. They try hard to add depth to the overall experience, the story seems better developed, better told, taking…
Some discrepancies must be sated before anything else. Racing simulators are essentially different than arcade racers. Arcade tends to go for enjoyment over anything else, the sense of maximum speed controllable–sometimes uncontrollable–, crashes, curves at insane speeds and all that. Simulators on the other hand focus on the experience of driving. Since I can drive in real live and this so called experience is not…
I cannot deny Assassin’s Creed 1 was my cup of tea. Sure, it had its problems, sure there were only a few different objectives after all, sure most people were interested because of the beautiful graphics. Still, controlling Altair in never-before-seen ancient middle-east was a wonder to behold. The whole stealth concept was done right, the parkour as well. It was not a brilliant game when we look back to it but had…
The primary focus of re-releases is giving the opportunity to people who have never had the chance to play the game to go ahead and actually play it. This Tales of re-release for the 3DS has been bashed by critics for not containing any new feature, but that's the point in some sense. I, for one, have never had a Playstation 2 which was the console which served as home for this title originally, so I missed it. Now…
I've said countless times that a handheld is synonym of Pokemon. I don't believe only a few of us were completely hypnotized on how grand and unique Pokemon felt on Game Boy at that time. magazines telling you where you could capture certain Pokemon, where you could find items, it seemed too massive to be true. Fortunately Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow was everything we could hope for and more. Now every time…
I hesitated at first to buy a new Nintendo 3DS. First because it was obvious Nintendo was rushing with the product and another version, 30 times better in every aspect would eventually come out in say, a year? I wasn't really in a hurry. Second because it never really felt like a new console, it seemed a slightly better DSi with useless glasses-less 3D. Now I see I was partially wrong, Nintendo did what they've been…
Of course I've always dreamed of being able to play the games I love anywhere I want. Handheld games were generally simpler, more back to roots. When I first tried this game out it felt like what I always imagined had become true. Sure Game Boy Advance had some remakes like Super Mario World, but it wasn't the same thing. The DS came close, but Super Mario 64 DS had those clumsy controls even though it expanded a…
Do you know why Nintendo aimed being the second console last generation with the underpowered Wii? Because They offer something different than the competitors. Take a look at Mario Kart, such an easy formula to take to another level and make it even better than what Nintendo does with it, but there's no one else quite doing what Mario Kart does. There's the occasional Crash or Diddy Kong Racing, but nothing…
I mentioned when I wrote about the first Trine how much of a stellar experience that was. In the second installment it's pretty easy to point fingers and at least take wild guesses at how and where improvements should be focused. Note must have been taken because this pretty much covers what wasn't great in the first, although not much on that subject could actually be said. Graphically this shines as much as, it…
I have a history of enjoying Need for Speed games that aren't well regarded by critics and the community. I thought Pro Street was an absolute delight despite its obvious control problems. Undercover is the same. This is pretty solid Need for Speed, often more than what I could ever ask for. Let's say this game feels a little more "stripped down" compared to the others, but the core is still intact. It's a well…
It’s a well known fact that Fallout 3 resembles Oblivion in a different setting. It’s hard to get the scope right, but when you finally play it – presuming you've played Oblivion before – you suddenly realize how true those statements were. Some complain, some see as natural, Bethesda used the same version of its previous engine to craft another experience; I don’t think there should be any problem with that. You…
The last time I got excited with a new Mortal Kombat release was Mortal Kombat 4 to tell the truth. The fact Mortal Kombat was finally going 3D was too exciting to be missed. Ultimate was great, every SNES game rocked, performing a fatality on the N64 would certainly be incredible. It turns out it wasn't, but it had its moments. Some games struggle with 3D, they think they need to somehow evolve and reinvent, but a…
When the first Portal was released it was conveniently released along with Half-Life 2, its two expansions and Team Fortress 2 forming the award-winning Orange Box. It was the only unreleased piece available, it could be said that it was safe with heavy hitters like the ones mentioned, still, it ended up one a highlight of the package. It was simple really, a few puzzles where a portal gun was required to bypass…
Not everything's perfect in the indie world, sometimes you make a gem sometimes you don't. That's as natural as the mainstream. Gish was one of the first games that caught my attention because it was simple 2 dimensional platforming and looked pretty old school, it took me quite a while to get the game to play through because it didn't feel right. As of now I still think this game isn't all that great. The fact you…
We're all aware that independent developer have to be imaginative. If you're dealing with a low-budget to make a game and come out with a profit you better have something good. Battlefield can excuse an on-rail shooter single player if they manage to make gamers reach orgasm by glancing at it. Independent developers need to come up with games like Dust: An Elysian Tail. Don't get me wrong, I think this game is…
After playing this game to the end I kind of felt what I felt with the first Crysis. This is pretty good, but I think some people won't judge it on its own rights. A game that relies heavily on graphics to make a name of itself is bound to have it weighed more than it should. Crysis Warhead, like the first game just to a lesser degree, is not just a pretty game, it's a pretty game that's also a great game. What…
Has there ever been a title that so fully explained what's in store for the player than "Orcs must die!"? They must, because should they not you will. Not-so-long story short, master wizard tripped, hit his head and is now dead, his not-so-bright apprentice takes over when it comes to stopping Orcs from entering the rift, some kind of magical kingdom or something like that, there's also a mad witch leading the Orcs…
InMomentum is a game which its name pretty much sums it all up. It's a first-person platformer designed to be played with a competitive speed-run focus. there's not really a "point" in doping anything you actually can do in-game except getting better and better, breaking your own records again and again. The single player is just about it, you choose one of the several stages, all very basic in style with a…
InMomentum is a game which its name pretty much sums it all up. It's a first-person platformer designed to be played with a competitive speed-run focus. there's not really a "point" in doping anything you actually can do in-game except getting better and better, breaking your own records again and again. The single player is just about it, you choose one of the several stages, all very basic in style with a…
I'd be going in circles if I repeated here that I dislike FPSs. I simply dislike average FPSs, the ones that offer little other than the average warfare experience. The whole soldier set up, gas mask, gun in hand doing some government job or joining some random war. At first thought I wasn't cut ou for this kind of game, the whole premise of Serious Sam is exactly going back to the roots, which contrary to the first…
I must admit I was deceived. You see, I'm a huge old-school style fan, platformers have that charm from former days where gaming had but one defining characteristic that could make them stand out, challenge. No overblown stories, pretentious ideas that ultimately fail, nor hollywoodian graphics to cover the lack of depth. Here's the controller, you can jump to save yourself from the waterfall of enemies coming up at…
The Elder Scrolls series has always been groundbreaking to some degree. The first games had randomly generated algorithms and they were still too large for their own good. Morrowind was a big undertake back in the late '90s up to its release in 2002. Oblivion is often mentioned as the one title to have 'kicked out' the new generation of games for real on consoles. A massive feat during the initial days of brand new…
This is the 3rd big remake of Counter-Strike released publicly. It even got a 2D version that works much the same way with multiplayer and all. Counter-Strike 1.6 (along with its previous versions) was the one game that made Valve lead in multiplayer gaming and still is one of the most played online games of all time, if not the most played. Not too shabby for a game released more than a decade ago with no new…
I enjoy this type of game. There's nothing remotely fancy about Waves, you pick up the controller and play away. For the right price -- and when I say the right price I mean cheap -- no one should regret a purchase like this. Presuming they're not expecting Grand Theft Auto 5 features and has their feet on planet Earth. Your best bet to enjoy is is connecting a controller into an USB port, it might be an Xbox 360…
There's certainly something unique about the cel-shaded Zelda style. I was one of those few who didn't have an instant heart-attack when Wind Waker was first announced, and now I see why. Of course having the so-called mature Zelda -- having absolutely nothing mature about it -- is cool and we all want them to keep coming, but the cartoon style can't be forgotten. From what I see it seems pretty reasonable that…
Mass Effect has some aspects that are good indicators that the game is interesting and deserves to be played. It's an RPG, but not an ordinary RPG, a Bioware RPG. The company that blessed the gaming world with classic titles within the genre certainly has good stuff in store for a new release. It's also a relief that people embrace the fact that RPGs are not just orcs, elves and fairies wielding swords combining…
Cave Story is a free game released many years ago for the PC. Apparently it was made entirely by only one guy over the course of 5 years. He designed the game, wrote the story, composed the music and programmed everything. Quite a feat indeed. Cave Story+ is an updated version of this game. One of the first things you notice is how this might pretty much be the definitive version of the game. Right away you're able…
Jamestown is one of those shoot 'em ups. Mostly known from those crazy Japanese games with lots of bullets popping around the screen with the player hopelessly trying to evade them (or defend in some cases). This time the Japanese style is left behind for a more western approach, so no pink-haired high school-dressed white girls, folks. These games are known for being extremely hardcore, and they're probably the…
I've grown accustomed to indie games quite swiftly, and learned to love them too. I now fully support new developers trying to impress consumers armed with sometimes nothing more than low budget and a good idea. After all, most big developers are too busy copying the current trend or creating the next best FPS experience only to try competing with the number one game in the most popular genre and hopefully snag a…
Pokemon has reached its 5th generation of games. As a staunch fan of the series, I've accompanied it since its birth, and there's no new release which I don't go mad about the new games. When black/white were announced I couldn't help but feel it was a little bit too early, the DS's successor was just a matter of time and certainly the pictures showed a much more advanced game graphically. I thought these games…
I don’t think anyone ever intended for 2D platforming to die, it was just a natural course of events. As 3D evolved and established it was pretty much the main focus of basically everyone, I’m glad the handhelds still saved us from complete absence. With the increase success of indie games 2D platforming is stronger than ever, with a much simpler road to success and allowing developers to create better quality games…
When I try to come up with the whole formula for such success of Team Fortress 2 among online players I end up with many answers, all respond partially. First of all, it's a first person shooter, kids go nuts for this type of game these days, but it's certainly no average shooter. The visuals give a less stiff look to it, and welcomes players of all kinds, This flexibility to please both hardcore and casuals alike…
It's quite a relief to know that Mario Kart got a proper release after the atrocious Double Dash. Everything in Mario Kart DS follows the formula of success introduced in the SNES days. Even though Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64 still stand as the best releases on the series, and that hardly is ever going to change since the formula has been overused and a revolution is unlikely, this might be the best Mario…
Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-op survival game. You must endure one of the many campaigns with the help of your friends through the internet -- these friends can also be CPU-controlled bots. The campaigns are divided in three, four or up to five acts. In between these acts there's a safe-house where health kits and ammo is found; a quick rest and back to action. This is the primary formula of the main game. In the campaigns…
My main concern when I decide to pick up an RPG is making sure it's made by a trustworthy developer. RPGs are a tempestuous kind, they often have bugs and problems shipped with it, even the ones made by the so called top developrs of the genre. Sure, The Wither's developer is unknown and the game is not free of mishaps, though h I guess we can account CD Projekt Red as a developer to look forward when it comes to…
Arcade racers are my favorite kind of racers, nothing beats the adrenaline-fueled or reckless driving not caring if the next corner will serve as a straightener, a crashing point, or both; that's what gaming is all about. Burnout Paradise pleases me with its approach, it's an arcade racer by heart, and it's not afraid to admit that, actually, it practically shouts proudly for everyone to know it. The controls pretty…
This generation of games has been nice for indie game developers, the scene is becoming increasingly more democratic with digital distribution, that's a good thing for gamers since there are many talented developers around that never got the chance to go big. Meat Boy started off as a flash game, it quickly drew attention, it had its strong points, a real release was inevitable in this fitting scenario. Two years…
To start off, I'm going to say I highly enjoyed Jolly Rover, part of this might be due to the fact I didn't have high expectations when I started playing, I thought it would be a decent game (in the best scenario) that I would have to force myself to finish and hopefully pass some time, it ended up being not like that at all, I even hoped the game was a bit longer, but I do have in mind that it's not sufficient…
It's good to know that 2D platforming is still alive, Nintendo for quite a while decided to deny the awesomeness of this kind of game, ever since the Super Nintendo days were over, but a game that was fun will always be fun. With the Wii Nintendo realized it was unreasonable to go hand-to-hand against its competitors, because they'll always win, so a more simplistic approach was a great opportunity to bring back fun…
The trilogy has reached an end, three successful titles for the DS, each with its own soul. Dawn of Sorrow stands as the closest to the roots of Castlevania series, the darkest Castlevania and the title that opened the way and set the standards for the next two. Portrait of Ruin, one more step into innovation, two characters at the same time on screen, a slightly better story, non-castle locations, challenge system,…
Castlevania Portrait of Ruin is the second iteration of the Castlevania series on the Nintendo DS, the first one, Dawn of Sorrow, released in late 2005, was a success, at least critically the game was highly acclaimed. This sequel, released a little more than a year later at the end of 2006, follows primarily the formula and style found in Dawn of Sorrow, with more than needed new stuff to keep it interesting and…
Castlevania is a series that's home of many classics from the past, its unique style has led to a legion of fans. In the handheld world, Castlevania shows itself in its purest form. This game is a hybrid of 2D platforming, action, suspense, horror and RPG. The platforming is not conventional, most games have a finite way of seeing 2D platforming, as of starting in the far left and enduring the level to reach the far…
It's hard to find a truly original idea these days, between every first person shooter or RPG that does little to nothing in terms of bringing new stuff to the table we find a game that actually strikes us with innovation, out of the ordinary. Maybe the last big innovative idea was Portal, it was charming, simple and fun. World of Goo is all that as well, it succeeds in its simplicity, you have little ball-shaped…
I remember like it happened yesterday, a cloudy day, a little rain might had poured, a special program about children with cancer on the TV, people going crazy on the streets because of the elections, but none of that really had my attention, the only thing I could think of was about the new Pokemon for the Game Boy Color. Oh yes, hundreds of hours down the toilet and I was up for more, I was up to waste a much…
The Nintendo DS is infested with puzzle games, but in my opinion only a handful of them is quite as interesting as the Professor Layton series. It mixes well thought-out puzzles with a story that's light but still with the right dose of depth. The characters are charismatic and fit the purpose of the game. This is the second game of the series released in English language and the follow-up to Professor Layton and…
Read the full review Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
